Hockey training system

ABSTRACT

A system and device that includes a base, supported by supports adapted to stand or slide on ice, and at least two hockey sticks movably attached to the base, where the base houses at least one mechanism for actuating the hockey sticks and preferably houses one individual mechanism for each hockey stick, so that the hockey sticks, which are preferably movable left to right and up and down, are actuated individually.

This invention was not made pursuant to any federally-sponsored research and/or development.

THE FIELD OF INVENTION

The system and device of the present invention relate to functional novelty dolls, particularly interchangeable dolls enabled to hold parking tickets so that they are visible to traffic officers. The interchangeable dolls are used with a base mounted or positioned on or about the dashboard of a vehicle, under the windshield.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hockey is a favorite sport and pastime of millions of players and spectators, both the adults and the children. Numerous hockey training devices and systems exist to teach beginning and intermediate players hockey stick control, puck handling, shooting, scoring, and maneuvering on ice. Learning proper retention and control of the puck with a hockey stick, especially while skating on ice at high speed and maintaining front and peripheral observation, is an essential skill for hockey players.

Many such training devices are specifically designed for teaching or enhancing skills in one area, such as shooting the puck for example, where a puck is mounted on a resistant member that moves along a rail. Yet other devices include a short cable attachment that secures a puck to a hockey stick, whereby the puck can be quickly reacquired if the player loses it during maneuvering and puck handling exercises. Other variations of training devices teach puck handling by placing obstacles in front of the player, which the player must negotiate in order not to lose the puck.

However, the training devices known in the art presuppose one level or skill, and no training device or system exists that would allow to simultaneously train multiple players puck handling and maneuvering against a simulated opponent, while subjecting the players to variable levels to skill and interaction.

The present invention solves this problem by providing an opportunity to train two, three, or more players at the same time, while allowing each of the players to be up against a programmable, variable level of skill. Thus, hockey players of all experience levels, from beginning to intermediate, and possibly even advanced, may benefit from the system and device of the present invention, repeatedly practicing against a simulated opponent, preferably of variable skill, speed and strength.

The present invention relates more particularly to a system and device that includes at least one hollow base, supported by supports adapted to stand or slide on ice and at least two hockey sticks movably attached to the base, where the base houses at least one mechanism for actuating the hockey sticks and preferably houses one individual mechanism for each one hockey stick, so that the sticks, which are preferably movable left to right and up and down, are actuated individually. The preferred embodiment includes independent electrical actuators operatively connected to each hockey stick to provide movement for the hockey stick, including actuators powered by batteries or solar panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hockey training system that would allow to train two or more hockey players puck handling, stick control, and maneuvering at the same time, using variable, programmable skill levels, developing skill, strength, accuracy and balance. The preferred embodiment of the present invention achieves this goal with at least one hollow base on supports adapted to stand or slide on ice and at least two hockey sticks movably attached to the base, where the base has at least one mechanism for actuating the hockey sticks and preferably two individual mechanisms, one for each hockey stick, so that the sticks, which are preferably movable left to right and up and down, are actuated individually.

The base supports are either securely placed on ice where they remain in place (for example with short spikes attached to the supports), while supporting the base with one or more mechanisms and the hockey sticks movably attached to the base, or the base supports may be placed on skates to enable the entire system of the present invention to be movable on the surface of the ice. Alternatively, the system supports may be movably attached to substantially horizontal rails on the surface of the ice, where the entire hockey training system would be movable along the rails.

However, any other support configuration known in the art may be used with the system and device of the present invention, instead of the described supports, within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A hockey training system and device of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hockey training system and device of the present invention with a triangular base and supports with spikes;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the hockey training system and device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the hockey training system and device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hockey training system and device of the present invention with a square base and supports with spikes;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the hockey training system and device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the hockey training system and device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hockey training system and device of the present invention with a square base and supports with skates;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the hockey training system and device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the hockey training system and device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the hockey training system and device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the hockey training system and device of the present invention with a hexagonal base and supports with spikes;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the hockey training system and device of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the hockey training system and device of FIG. 11;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A novel hockey training system and device 10 are provided. With reference to FIGS. 1-13, the preferred embodiment of the present invention achieves this goal with a base 20, mounted on at least one, but preferably at least two supports 30, each of which has a top part 32 and a bottom part 34. The supports 30 are attached to the base 20 at the top part 32 and extend downward from the base 20. The bottom part 34 of each support 30 is in direct contact with the playing surface, which is usually ice, but the hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention may also be used for field hockey training Each bottom part 34 terminates in a skate 36 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, 4-5, and 11-12 or has at least one but preferably a plurality of short spikes 38 as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. These configurations will enable the hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention to be movable on the surface of the ice or to remain stationery on the ice respectively. The skate 36 may be an integral piece of the bottom part 34, or it may be removable. The supports 30 preferably extend downward from the base 20 substantially vertically.

The supports 30 are preferably detachably connected to the base 20 at the top parts of the supports 32 so that the supports 30 may be removed and replaced with different types of supports (i.e., supports with spikes being replaced with supports with skates), or simply folded for storage, shipping, and transporting the hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention.

The base 20 may be of a polygonal shape if viewed from the top, and is preferably has at least a triangular shape as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Although the base may be round or oval as viewed from the top, having a polygonal base has the added advantage of more clearly defining the training area, with the training player directly facing the side of the polygon the player is training against when viewed from the top. Each side of the polygonal base 20 preferably has a hockey stick 40 or a similar construct equivalent in function to a hockey stick movably attached to each side of the polygonal base 20. The base 20 may be a square or a hexagon as illustrated in FIGS. 4-13, or it may be an octagon or a polygon with any other number of sides, but it should be noted that at a certain point, having too many sides will impair the usability of the system and increase its size and weight beyond what's practicable. The applicant envisions triangular and square embodiments as the most practical embodiments for the hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1-13, the base 20 is preferably hollow, having a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24 defining a hollow space 25, where the base 20 houses at least one mechanism 50 in the space 25 for actuating the hockey sticks 40. Preferably, there is a cooperating plurality of mechanisms 50 in the space 25 for actuating the hockey sticks 40, one mechanism 50 for each hockey stick 40. However, in an alternative embodiment, the mechanism or mechanisms 50 may be mounted on the outside of the base 20, so the base 20 does not have to be hollow in that embodiment.

The hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention preferably includes a mechanical or electrical mechanism 50 in or outside the base 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6, 10, and 13, where the mechanism 50 is operatively coupled with the end 46 of the handle 44 of the hockey stick 40 of the hockey training system and device 10 so as to enable the movement of the hockey stick 40 without external stimulation. The mechanism 50 actuating the hockey stick 40 may be powered by rechargeable or replaceable internal or external electrical batteries 60 and/or external solar panels (not shown). The mechanism 50 may also be powered from an electrical outlet (not shown). Alternative methods of powering the hockey training system and device 10 may be used as known in the art, but the preferred method is self-contained in the base 20, powering the internal electrical mechanism 50 with an internal battery or batteries 60 and/or external solar panels.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, 4-5, 7-9, and 11-12, the top surface 22 of the base 20 may be substantially flat, which would promote the placement of solar panels on the top surface 22 of the base 20. This way, the hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention would be able to extend the life of the batteries 60 and partially operate on solar power, such as that from the stadium lights, provided there is sufficient light intensity. It is not anticipated that the solar panels would be solely able to power the hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention with the current state of technology, but it may be possible later with the improvements in solar cell technology. At the very least, solar panels would extend the battery life of the batteries 60 mounted in the device, which batteries 60 may be rechargeable to store excess charge from the solar panels.

It should be noted that other methods of powering the hockey training system and device of the present invention, in addition to the preferred method, may be used, such as using a portable generator mounted in or near the base (not shown), or by using an electrical mechanism powered from the outlet by an electric cord.

With reference to FIGS. 1-13, the hockey stick 40 preferably includes a handle 44 and a hockey stick blade 42 connected to the handle 44, defining the practicing zone by the position of the blade 42 relative to the playing surface and the moving range of the blade 42 (left to right and up and down). In other words, each side of the polygonal base 20 with a movably attached hockey stick 40 has its own practicing zone defined by the moving range of the hockey stick 40. The end of the handle 44 opposite to the blade 42 is the end 46 of the handle 44. The end 46 is movably connected to the base 20, using a pin 70 connected to the base 20, or using the mechanism 50, being directly connected to the mechanism 50. The attachment is preferably approximately at the center of the longitudinal axis of the side of the base 20 the hockey stick 40 is attached to.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, 4-5, 7-9, and 11-12, the hockey stick 40 is preferably sized, shaped and, if necessary, curved in cooperation with the size and height of the base 20 on supports 30, to simulate the angle of a hockey stick versus the playing surface (ice) that would have been held by another hockey player. Because a hockey stick may be held by a player under different angles versus the ice, depending on how high the player holds the handle and whether the player holds the handle with one hand or two hands, the applicant envisions replaceable and changeable hockey sticks 40 to account in training and practice for the varying angles of the hockey stick the training player may have to face.

With respect to the attachment of the hockey stick 40, a pin 70 may be attached approximately to the longitudinal center of the side of the base 20 in a vertical or horizontal position, and the end of the handle 46 has a cooperating aperture 48 through which the pin 70 is threaded through, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6, 10, and 13. Thus when installed, the end 46 of the handle 44 is mounted on the pin 70 so that the hockey stick 40 may move left to right and up and down versus the base 20 and the playing surface.

Two embodiments of the present invention are envisioned using a pin 70. The first embodiment includes a pivoting pin 70 (movable left to right and up and down on which the hockey stick 40 is fixedly mounted by the end 46 of the handle 44. In other words, when the pin 70 is threaded through the aperture 48, the hockey stick 40 does not move about the pin 70 but moves only together with the pin 70. The actuating mechanism 50 is operatively attached to the pin 70 itself Thus, whenever the mechanism 50 moves the pin 70 left to right or up and down, the hockey stick 40 attached to the pin by the end 46 of the handle 44 moves with the pin 70 left to right and/or up and down, and accordingly the blade 42 opposite to the end 46 also moves left to right and/or up and down. Because of the attachment of the hockey stick 40 at the end 46, minimal movement of the end 46 would be necessary to move the blade 42 a significant amount.

The second embodiment envisions a fixed pin 70 on which the hockey stick 40 is movably mounted by the end 46 of the handle 44. When the pin 70 is threaded through the aperture 48, the hockey stick 40 is able to move about the pin 70 left to right and/or up and down. The pin 70 is stationery, and the mechanism 50 actuating the hockey stick 40 is operatively connected to the end 46 of the handle 44 of the hockey stick 40, which is the part of the handle 44 opposite to the blade 42. The actuating mechanism 50 thus moves the hockey stick 40 directly, and the pin 70 guides the movement of the hockey stick 40 left to right and/or up and down by allowing the end 46 of the hockey stick 40 to move about the pin 70 threaded through the aperture 48, depending on whether the pin 70 is mounted vertically or horizontally, both of which are possible.

In the alternative embodiment, no pin is used, and the end 46 of the hockey stick 40 is directly connected to the actuating mechanism 50 housed inside or outside the base 20. It should be noted that in all these three embodiment, there preferably is an aperture 28 in the side of the base 20, through which the mechanism 50 is connected to the end 46 of the handle 44 or the pin 70, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1-13.

However, connecting the mechanism 50 directly to the hockey stick 40 exposes the mechanism 50 to additional wear and tear from the forces exerted by the training player on the hockey stick 40, blade 42 and handle 44. In the embodiments utilizing a pivotal pin connection of the hockey stick 40, some of the forces will be absorbed by the pin 70 and the frame of the base 20 the pin 70 is attached to, protecting the actuating mechanism 50 from excessive impacts.

The attachment of the hockey stick 40 to the pin 70 or to the mechanism 50 may be permanent, such as by welding, riveting or using other attachment means known in the art (such as screws) to either (a) connect the end 46 of the hockey stick 40 to the pin 70 that is attached to the base 20 (when the attachment of the hockey stick 40 is fixedly attached to the pin 70) or (b) to connect the end 46 directly to the mechanism 50 when a pin is not used or when the pin 70 is movably threaded through the aperture 48 in the hockey stick 40. However, the attachment of the hockey stick 40 is preferably of a semi-permanent or removable type, such as by using bolts (nuts and bolts), bolts and winged nuts, pins, latches or similar attachments, or by using other attachment means known in the art to removably connect the hockey stick 40, because this gives the users of the device the option to easily replace hockey sticks worn out by practice, and it also gives the users the option to install hockey sticks with varying characteristics, such as length of the handle, curvature of the handle (if any), and size of the blade. Varying these parameters will allow the users to manipulate and set the resistance and difficulty level of the hockey training system and device of the present invention.

Of course, whenever the hockey stick 40 is removably attached to the pin 70 or the mechanism 50, it adds yet another factor of customization to the system and device 10 of the present invention because the hockey stick 40 may be changed to a stick bearing the insignia or colors of a particular sports team or country. Alternatively, stickers of decals may be made fitting the hockey stick 40, so that the hockey stick 40 may be customized with desired colors, country flag, or team insignia as many times as necessary. Likewise, supports 30 and the base 20 may be customizable in the same way.

Some conventional means of attachment would not be practical in the present invention because they would not withstand the forces exerted by the practicing player on the hockey stick 40 and blade 42 of the present invention, or prevent easy maintenance and replacement of the hockey stick 40, such as glue or hook and loop attachments.

The other way to adjust the resistance and difficulty level of the hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention is by using the internal settings of the mechanism 50 actuating the hockey sticks 40. The mechanism 50 is preferably equipped with a programmable controller 80, which may be a computer or a chip controller, which determines whether the hockey stick 40 moves at all, whether it moves left to right, up and down or both (i.e., longitudinal and latitudinal movement), and the speed with which the hockey stick 40 moves longitudinally and latitudinally. The programmable settings preferably include at least the beginner, intermediate, and advanced settings, but the settings may include additional level settings to accommodate a wider variety of hockey players.

The range of motion is defined by the movability of the hockey stick 40, and specifically the blade 42, left to right and up and down, and by the movability of the mechanism 50 actuating the hockey stick 40. It is an object of the present invention to provide a selectable range of motion for the players of all skills, as well as the selectable ranges of speed and force.

The hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention may be remote-controlled to enable the human trainer to take over the system and device 10 and provide real-time, human feedback to the training player, as well as a certain level of unpredictability. The applicant envisions a simple RF or infrared remote control being used to control the movements of the hockey stick 40 left to right and/or up and down.

The hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention may also be programmable. In such an embodiment, the controller 80 housed in the base 20 of the system and device 10 preferably includes a number of programs that take into consideration the skill level, desired difficulty level, and duration of practice. The controller 80 may be an independent computer, a chip-based controller, or a different controller known in the art. In order to avoid the predictability of movement of the hockey stick 40, the algorithms running on the controller 80 should be programmable to randomize the movement of the hockey stick 40 or actuate the hockey stick 40 in a non-linear (unpredictable) fashion. Because repeated practice against the same pattern has diminishing returns in hockey training, changing patterns, levels and settings has the added benefit of enhancing the overall training effectiveness of the hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention.

The programs and algorithms defining the training programs may be stored in permanent or semi-permanent storage 90 onboard the controller 80 or connected to the controller 80, or they may be uploaded to the controller 80 individually for each training session. The upload may be via a USB memory device or a local cable connection, or the upload may be done wirelessly via radio frequency (RF) or optical transmission.

The hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention may also include optical, radar or laser sensors 100 for player feedback as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 7, and 11. Thus, the sensors 100 may create and two- or three-dimensional image or projection of the training player and the player's movement, in relation to the moving hockey stick 40 and the overall position of the system and device 10 of the present invention. The projection may be viewed by the trainer and the player, and the projection may also be recorded for later viewing. The projection is preferably recorded by the controller 80 of the training system and device 10 of the present invention. Alternatively, force feedback sensors 110 illustrated in 3, 6, 10, and 13 may be operatively connected to the hockey stick 40 to determine the strength of the training player and develop a reciprocating response (i.e., faster/stronger hockey stick movement for a stronger, more aggressive player).

The hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention may also include one or more video camera 120 for recording a video feed, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 7, and 11, where the one or more camera 120 is electrically connected to the controller 80 and preferably to an internal data storage 130 for storing the video. Then, the player training and performance can be evaluated from the view of the training system and device 10 (i.e., the simulated player). The hockey training system and device 10 of the present invention may also be equipped with analytical software and/or hardware (not shown) for analyzing the sensor data and/or video camera recording to give the training player instant later feedback. The instant feedback is preferably vocalized by a built-in voice/speech synthesizer (not shown), or alternatively it may be displayed as text or visual feedback on a screen (not shown) mounted on or outside the training system and device 10.

In the preferred embodiment, the base 20 and supports 30 are made from plastics, polymers, or metal. However, the base 20 and supports may also be made from wood or other suitable natural or synthetic materials, or a combination thereof. Likewise, the hockey sticks 40 are typically made from one or a combination of wood, aluminum, titanium, laminated wood, plywood, carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar or plastic. All of these materials may be used for the base 20, supports 30, and other parts of the system and device 10 of the present invention. The skates 36 or spikes 38 for sliding and stationery positioning on the ice respectively are preferably made from metal, but may also be ceramic or made from other suitable materials.

In use, the supports 30 are securely attached to the base 20 by the top parts 32, and the base 20 is placed onto the ice on supports 30, which may be stationery placement if the supports are on spikes 38 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, 4-5, and 11-12, or movable placement if the supports are on skates 36 as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. The training player can already use the training system and device 10 of the present invention by interacting with a hockey stick 40 attached to the base 20 by the pin 70 or directly attached to the mechanism 50. It should be noted that when the base 20 is placed onto the ice on spikes 38, it should be able to be held in place by the weight of the base 20, the internal mechanism 50 and the attached hockey sticks 49 (i.e., by the weight of the hockey training system and device 10 itself), but the base 20 may also be weighted down with any kind of a filler material like sand.

However, the preferable operation of the training system and device 10 of the present invention is when the hockey stick 40 is movable, actuated by the mechanism 50. After the placement on the ice, the controller 80 of the training system and device 10 begins to run the pre-selected or uploaded training program. The hockey stick 40 attached to the mechanism 50 directly or through a movable or fixed pin 70 begins to move according to the training program: left to right and/or up and down. The training program preferably includes parameters such as the duration of training, speed of movement of the hockey stick, and the pattern of movement.

Anyone can use the hockey training system and device of the present invention, providing many hours of hockey training, fun and amusing activities. The dimensioning and sizing of the hockey training system and device of the present invention may be easily determined by those skilled in the art, but the applicant envisions that the hockey training system and device of the present invention may be made with varying sizes, height, width, and other parameters.

The hockey training system and device of the present invention may further be used for general strength and agility training and conditioning, for rehabilitative and therapeutic purposes, for treating paint and injuries, including sports injuries, traumatic injuries, and automobile accident injuries, as well as numerous diseases and disorders of the muscles, joints, and bones (i.e., the musculoskeletal system), including any kind of medical and sports rehabilitation therapy.

The base and/or the hockey training system and device of the present invention may include separate interior power sources (such as batteries or rechargeable power cells), electronics (including onboard memory chips or modules, computer chips, and wiring), lights (such as LED or fiber optic), and/or means for recording, reproducing or generating images, voice or sound (such as cameras, display screens, speakers or sound recording chips) to further enhance the practical usability, fun and amusement factors associated with the present invention.

While the hockey training system and device of the present invention have been shown and described in accordance with the preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the true scope of the invention should not be limited by the abovementioned description of the preferred embodiment since other modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the drawings, description, explanations, and specifications herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention and the subject matter of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination hockey training system, comprising: a. A base mounted on a plurality of supports, each support extending downwardly and having a top part attached to the base and a bottom part adapted to be placed on a substantially planar playing surface; b. At least one hockey stick having a handle with an end and a blade connected to the handle on the side of the handle opposite to the end, said at least one hockey stick adapted to be coupled with the base wherein the blade of the at least one hockey is proximate to the substantially planar playing surface; c. At least one mechanism housed in or about the base for actuating each of the at least one hockey stick, said at least one mechanism being operatively connected to the end of each of the at least one hockey stick; and d. Securing means for movably coupling the end of the at least one hockey stick with the base through a pin connected to the base or directly to the at least one mechanism, said securing means adapted to enable the pivotal longitudinal movement of the blade of the at least one hockey stick about the substantially planar playing surface.
 2. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, wherein the securing means is further adapted to enable the latitudinal movement of the blade up and down.
 3. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, wherein the base is removably mounted on the plurality of supports.
 4. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, wherein the base is polygonal.
 5. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, wherein each bottom part of the plurality of supports includes at least one spike coupled to said each bottom part to prevent the base from gliding on the substantially planar playing surface.
 6. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, wherein each bottom part of the plurality of supports includes at least one skate coupled to said each bottom part to enable the base to glide on the substantially planar playing surface.
 7. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, wherein the base has a top surface and a bottom surface defining a space therebetween and wherein the at least one mechanism is disposed in the space.
 8. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, further comprising a controller electrically connected to the at least one mechanism for controlling the at least one mechanism.
 9. The combination hockey training system of claim 8, wherein the controller is programmable.
 10. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, further comprising at least one electrical battery electrically connected to the at least one mechanism for powering the at least one mechanism.
 11. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor recording the movement of a training player.
 12. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, further comprising at least one video camera recording the movement of a training player.
 13. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, further comprising a data storage for storing programs, settings, sensor data or video.
 14. The combination hockey training system of claim 7, further comprising solar panels mounted on the top surface of the base.
 15. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, wherein the base is weighted down so that the base is held in place on the substantially planar playing surface by the weight of the base.
 16. The combination hockey training system of claim 4, wherein there is one hockey stick for each side of the polygonal base.
 17. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one hockey stick is operatively coupled to a separate mechanism for actuating each of the at least one hockey stick.
 18. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanism is an electrical actuator.
 19. The combination hockey training system of claim 1, wherein the at least one hockey stick is painted or covered with stickers or decals to resemble colors of a sports team or a country.
 20. A combination hockey training system, comprising: a. a base having a top surface and a bottom surface defining a space therebetween, said space being enclosed by a plurality of sides each having an aperture therein; b. a plurality of supports for supporting the base, each support extending downwardly and having a top part attached to the base and a bottom part adapted to be placed on a substantially planar playing surface; and c. a plurality of hockey sticks corresponding in number to the number of the plurality of sides, each of the plurality of hockey sticks having a handle with an end and a blade connected to the handle on the side of the handle opposite to the end, wherein the end of each of the plurality of hockey sticks is movably coupled with at least one mechanism disposed in the space through a cooperating aperture in the corresponding one of the plurality of sides, wherein the blade of each of the plurality of hockey sticks is proximate to the substantially planar playing surface and wherein the at least one mechanism is selectively used for actuating one or more of the plurality of hockey sticks about the substantially planar playing surface. 